BBC ‘racist’ skit reflective of Pinoy migrants’ plight – group

MANILA, Philippines – Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Tuesday said the “racist" portrayal of a Filipina domestic worker in a comedy show of the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) was only reflective of the true plight of Filipino migrant workers. In a statement, Bayan said that because Filipino workers are not provided enough jobs in the Philippines, they are forced to work overseas where they face racism, discrimination at the workplace, sexual harassment, rape and other violent attacks. "The BBC sketch is a painful reminder of the real plight of Filipino migrants which is often ignored by the Philippine government," said Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes. The assailed skit, aired in the September 26 episode of “Harry and Paul," showed comedian Harry Enfield telling a postman that he is ordering his Filipino maid to mate with his friend Paul Whitehouse. Bayan likewise demanded the Philippine government to formally protest the racist slur. "Overseas workers are often times called heroes. The Arroyo government’s inaction over this racist incident will show the utter hypocrisy of the government’s praise of Filipino migrants," Reyes said. "The Philippine government must not let this horrible incident pass without expressing indignation. Arroyo’s praise for the OFW will only become more meaningless if such racial insults are allowed to happen unprotested," he added. Reyes said that aside from demanding the BBC to issue a public apology to the Filipino community in the United Kingdom and the Filipino people, they will ask the network to stop the airing of the said offensive and racist comedy sketch. "The BBC should also reprimand the writers of the show," Reyes added. Meanwhile, Reyes encouraged Filipino bloggers and web users to email their complaints to BBC through this link. - GMANews.TV